Click on the Andrew
Sisters
to Submit Your Story
 |
|
|
For
sometime friends and relatives have ask me about my
experiences during my service in the US Navy. I spent
six years in various areas of the world and on various
types of ships. My service in the navy has served me
well, and at no time have I looked back with any kind of
regret. Nor have at any time regretted my decision to
terminate my service when my contracted time was up.
Some people can tolerate life in the services, but I
felt more at ease out. None of my experiences in the
navy, in my opinion was outstanding or worthy of special
note in history except as a formative and growing period
in my life. I had many pleasant and rewarding
experiences, and a few that were not so. However, none
that I could not live with and would probably do again,
given the same circumstances.
The
years following my father's death in 1934 things were
rather unsettled, but I finally finished high school in
May 1940. Things were still rather unsettled, so I did
what so many of the young men of that time did--I joined
the navy. After a short "Boot Training" time
in October 1940, at San Diego, California, I was
assigned to duty on the Battleship USS Tennessee, which
I boarded in Long Beach, California in the latter part
of November 1940. The ship was assigned to the Pacific
Fleet and operated out of Pearl Harbor.
The
next year was spent on training cruises in various parts
of the Pacific training much of the crew which were new
comers, such as myself how to make a battleship do its
job. At the end of the training period in December 1941,
all guns on the Tennessee with the exception of the #3
turret which contained three six inch guns that did not
fire three rounds at the allotted time, had earned an
"E" classification, which at the time had not
been accomplished by any other battleship in the fleet.
When
I first went aboard, I was assigned to the division
responsible for the operation and maintenance of the
5" anti-aircraft guns on the ship. These guns fired
a five inch fused projectile, which exploded when near a
aircraft. These projectiles were about three feet long
and weighed about one hundred and twenty five pounds,
more or less. Being small in statue, it didn't take me
long to look for something that I could handle a little
better. I was able to get transferred to the Navigation
Division which had to do with the navigation and
maneuvering of the ship. This proved to be very
interesting and challenging. While at sea we were
charged with keeping the position, location and control
of the ship. This was rewarding work.
During
the time before the attack on Pearl Harbor I had many
pleasant and pleasing times in and around the city of
Honolulu, there was many interesting sights and things
to do. I remember visiting the home of Joe McClure a
brother of my brother-in-law. I had several pleasant
experiences at that time, a time of and experiences that
can never be relived.
As
to my memory of the things that took place on the
morning of the attack on Pearl Harbor, some things are
blurred. As in crises of that kind one does things
without too much thought. As you recall the attack was
made at 7:55 on Sunday morning. (Honolulu time) It was
our habit on Sunday morning while in port to have our
cots set up on the bridge out of sight where we could
sleep in with a local Sunday paper, complete with the
funnies. This was considered to be "the life of
Riley". This changed very quickly when we realized
we were under attack The first thing that sticks in my
memory is one of the officers, who was in a "look
out station" located one level above the bridge,
came falling down. He was seriously injured and two of
us carried him down five decks to the "Sick
Bay" which immediately became our hospital. While
we were there we were pressed into service helping some
of the other wounded. General Quarters sounded, a call
to battle stations. Routinely my battle station was on
the bridge but since we could not get underway there was
no need for our services on the bridge so since I had
experience on anti-aircraft guns , I with others was
pressed into service operating these weapons which
turned out to be the only defense we had at the time. As
time went on we had other things that were pressing for
our help. The USS West Virginia, moored to out port side
was torpedoed, on fire and sank. At the same time the
USS Arizona had been bombed , was on fire and sank just
off our stern. This meant that we were surrounded by
fire, and in fact was on fire ourselves. The after part
of our ship was on fire but we were able to contain and
control it to a degree. I became aware in the later
hours of the day of the burned and wounded lying in
passageways on the lower decks of the ship. I find it
very difficult to recall all my activities and emotions
of the day. Many of the happenings of the day have faded
from my memory and are only recalled when something
happens that brings them back to mind. I have been
fortunate in that recalling the happenings of the day
have not lingered in my mind and caused me to have
disturbing feelings and thoughts.
After
the smoke cleared and we were able to take stock of the
damage we realized it was impossible for us to clear the
harbor. The USS Maryland, moored just ahead of us, was
able to move out and enter the Shipyard at Pearl. But
the Tennessee was wedged in with the USS West Virginia
sunk on our port side, and the USS Oklahoma capsized
ahead of us on our port side and mooring docks on our
Starboard side, ahead of our beam. Engineers had to
blast the docks so as we could move After several weeks
we were able to move out and make our way to San
Francisco. The thing that stands out about our return to
state side , was the anxiety over the fact that the
after part the ship had been so badly burned we were
concerned that it would hold together. But we made it
back, and our entry into San Francisco Bay was quite
memorable.
I
recall we arrived off San Francisco at night and in some
of the heaviest fog I can remember. Knowing that the bay
had been mined, we were uneasy to say the least but we
entered with the information we had at hand. You can
imagine my amazement when I looked up to see the Golden
Gate Bridge immediately overhead. Having made our way
into the bay we anchored for the night. The next morning
when the fog lifted we were close to Alcratraze Island.
Weighing
anchor we proceeded to the Hunters Point ship yard and
was placed in dry-dock. After several weeks the ship was
repaired and was able to take part in the action in the
Aleutian Islands After that was settled the USS
Tennessee and her escorts went to the Bearing Sea. If at
the time I was aware of the reason for going to the
Bearing Sea I have forgotten. But as a result, one of
the most memorable things happened. There was very
little in the way of civilization in the area where we
went ashore. Someplace in the village I came on a can of
grapefruit juice, the label on the can was from Quality
Products in La Feria, Texas. You can imagine the effect
that had on me and the folks back home. How could I have
found a product put up by Edith and J. C. Dunn's Quality
Products on the north side of Alaska, on the Bearing
Sea? Edith Dunn is my sister.
After
that campaign the Tennessee was called back to
Bremerton, Washington naval shipyard and placed in
dry-dock. It went through a complete overhaul from the
water line up, which changed and modernized her
appearance. I didn't get to serve on the "new
ship", as I was advanced to the rate of
Quartermaster 1st. class and transferred. I was sent to
Astoria, Oregon where I was part of a new crew and a new
aircraft carrier. We placed in commission the USS
Soloman Island, a small Kieizer built aircraft carrier.
For a shake down cruise we picked up a load of planes
and went to Pearl Harbor. On our return to San Francisco
we joined another carrier and went through the Panama
Canal to the East Coast. At Norfolk, Va. we loaded a
squadron of planes bound for North Africa, where the war
was in full swing, this was shortly after President
Roosevelt and Winston Churchill had met in North Africa
at Casa Blanca. While we were in port there we saw the
place where the meeting took place and other places of
interest along with noting the lifestyle of the people
of North Africa.
We
returned to Norfolk and picked another squadron of
planes and spent several months training them out of
Rhode Island before we were sent to South America for
submarine patrol. There we were credited with sinking
one German submarine. We picked up several survivors but
lost some planes also. While patrolling off South
America we made port calls in Brazil and Rio de Janeiro,
beautiful and interesting places.
AS
A FLASHBACK: After high school graduation several
class mates and myself joined the navy at the same time.
During the period before Dec. 7, 1941 I learned that
Albert Bush and David Rich were serving on the USS
Mississippi. One time when both ships, the Tennessee and
Mississippi were in Pearl at the same time, I was
assigned to a work party and sent in a motor launch to
the supply dock for supplies. The launch ahead of ours
was from the Mississippi and on it was Albert Bush.
After making contact we made arrangements to meet on the
ships and there I met with David Rich. During one of
these meetings we were on deck inspecting Albert's class
ring and somehow during the inspection the ring was
dropped over the side, and as for as I know is still
resting on the bottom of Pearl Harbor near the area the
Tennessee was berthed during the attack. During this
period I also learned that Thomas Betts was in the area
and managed somehow to arrange a meeting with him. As I
recall he was working in a machine shop and doing a
thing with a Coca Cola concession. And speaking of
"home town boys" sometime before I left the
Tennessee, June Oscar Durrham and Jessie Wayne Keeton
was assigned to the Tennessee and I had the pleasure of
welcoming them aboard. While on the Tennessee I made a
number of close and lasting friendships. During the
years I have at times made enjoyable and brief contacts
with some of them. One that has meant so much to
Rosemary and me was Hatham H. & Marge Thornton, 321
Mart Ln. Hemet , Ca. 92343. No Christmas would be
complete without a card from them. It was my pleasure to
be at their wedding in Bremerton, Wa. Their friendship
through the years has meant so much to us. Also Don
Martin came our way about that time, he went on to
become a pilot and has been hard to keep up with. One
time soon after we had moved into our home in La Feria
he visited. There was a fellow named Dawson who had a
blond headed sister and she lived in Portland, Don was
interested in her so we made several trips to Portland
on the bus, and that was an adventure in those days.
Another name that comes to mind is Sawan who comes to
mind along with others that flash across my mind but
time and distant has made it hard to keep in contact. I
would like to recall more people who have influenced my
past and be able to contact them, as I have grown older
I have learned to cherish those memories and long to be
able to renew those friendships. Recently with the aid
of the information highway I have made contact with P.
J. Sawan I spoke with him on the phone, he lives in
California. Also have contacted Don Martin we look
forward to a meeting in the near future and talk about
"ole times". Also May 7th through May 18 ,1998
I along with my wife Rosemary returned to the Islands to
celebrate our 50th, wedding anniversary (This was
Rosemary's first trip to the Islands.)
Remember Pearl Harbor and Keep
America Strong!
Back
to top |
Remember
Pearl Harbor and Keep America Strong!
CLICK HERE